About The Oldest Lighthouse In America
June 11, 1964 the lighthouse was dedicated as a National Historic Landmark on its 200th anniversary
A lighthouse is a tower-like structure equipped with a powerful light that serves as a navigational aid for ships and boats at sea or in inland waterways. Lighthouses are typically located on coastlines, islands, or along major waterways where they can be easily seen by mariners navigating through hazardous waters or approaching land.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in America. Although it was the fifth lighthouse constructed in the colonies, it is now the Nation's oldest surviving lighthouse. Sandy Hook Lighthouse is recognized as America's oldest existing lighthouse by the United States Lighthouse Society. The U.S. National Park Service declares it as America's oldest operating lighthouse.
A committee of prominent New York citizens was authorized to establish the lottery and purchase a small quantity of land at the tip of Sandy Hook to build a lighthouse. Negotiations with Robert and Esek Hartshorne, the owners of Sandy Hook, resulted in the purchase, on May 16, 1762, of four acres of barren, sandy soil for the moderate price of 750 pounds.”
Sandy Hook Lighthouse was designed and built on June 11, 1764 by Isaac Conro. It was originally called the "New York Lighthouse." It was built from sandstone and its light can be seen from a distance of up to 19 nautical miles.
To pay for the operation and maintenance of the new lighthouse, the Colony of New York authorized a tonnage tax of three pence per ton on ships sailing into the harbor. This enabled the Port of New York to maintain the tower, pay a keeper’s salary, and make a small profit from any surplus tax money.
By 1863 extensive repairs including a new edifice, a brick lining inside the tower and new iron steps to replace the old wooden stairs were completed. In 1889 Sandy Hook Lighthouse became the first lighthouse in the U.S. to be lit by incandescent lamps. In 1996 ownership of the lighthouse was transferred from the Coast Guard to the National Park Service.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse is a conical tower made of sandstone and brick. It stands approximately 103 feet (31 meters) tall and has a distinctive white tower with black lantern and gallery railing. The lighthouse has a focal plane of 85 feet (26 meters) above sea level.
The lighthouse is a tapered, conical tower constructed primarily of local sandstone and brick. The tower gradually narrows as it rises, with a broader base that tapers towards the lantern room at the top.
The exterior of the tower is clad in rough-cut sandstone blocks, which provide durability and resistance to weathering from the harsh coastal environment. Inside, the tower is reinforced with brick masonry, providing structural stability.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse's architecture combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, embodying the timeless elegance and maritime heritage of historic lighthouses. Its sturdy construction and distinctive design continue to stand as a symbol of safety and guidance for mariners navigating the waters of New York Harbor and the Jersey Shore.
Sandy Hook lighthouse is open to the public weekends May 1 - Oct 31, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 1 - April 30, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Park Rangers lead the tours. Tours are first come, first serve and can only be scheduled in person at the Visitor's Center.
This oldest lighthouse in the US is on the grounds of Fort Hancock and is just one of the unbeatable tourist attractions at Sandy Hook. The peninsula also boasts a spectacular holly forest, excellent surf fishing, hiking, beaches, trails, salt marshes, more than 300 species of birds and other historical sites.
*Note: Some sources claim the Boston Light Lighthouse in Boston, MA to be the oldest lighthouse in America. However, this is not accurate. Although it was originally built in 1716, decades before Sandy Hook Lighthouse, it was destroyed by the British as the last of the British were leaving Boston. They blew up the lighthouse, completely destroying it. The current lighthouse was not rebuilt by Massachusetts until 1783. This makes Sandy Hook Lighthouse the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the United States.